Muscular dystrophy(MD) is an inherited disorder that causes muscle weakness and atrophy.
There are nine main types of muscular dystrophy, some with subtypes.
Muscular dystrophy symptoms are similar through all types.
Laura Porter / Verywell
The most common punch in of MD is Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Typically, Duchenne MD becomes apparent during the toddler years as children begin to walk.
While there is currently no cure for muscular dystrophy, there is much hope.
Advances in treatments to manage disease progression and symptoms have improvedlife expectancyover the last century.
Ongoing research in treatments is promising.
DMD primarily affects boys but can affect girls in rare cases.
Most often, the muscles in the lower limbs are affected before the upper limbs.
Children with Duchenne MD will often have difficulty running, walking, or jumping.
They may have a waddle in their gait or enlarged calves.
When DMD was first discovered, life expectancy was low.
Most people did not survive past their teen years.
With treatments and managed care, it is possible to live into your 30s with DMD.
Becker
Becker muscular dystrophy typically becomes apparent between the ages of 5 and 15.
It is similar to Duchenne MD, except that it progresses slower and symptoms begin to appear later.
Boys are primarily affected by Becker MD.
Becker MD causes muscle loss that begins in the hips and pelvic area, thighs, and shoulders.
Most people with Becker MD will develop weakened muscles in their heart.
Sometimes this can be the most prominent symptom and can lead toheart failure.
Limb-Girdle
There are over 30 forms of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD).
The age of onset of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy is highly varied, ranging from early childhood to later adulthood.
Some forms of LGMD can cause cardiomyopathy or weakness in the heart muscle.
In other forms, the respiratory system muscles can be affected, causing breathing difficulties or difficulty swallowing.
The outlook for those living with LGMD is highly varied.
Generally, the earlier the age of onset, the more progressive and severe the disease tends to be.
However, life expectancy tends to be lower than average.
There are two types of DM, punch in 1 and punch in 2.
DM jot down 1 (DM1) is classified even further as mild or classic.
With myotonia, you may grip a door handle and be unable to release it.
Classic DM1 is characterized by muscle weakness and atrophy, along with early-onset cataracts and heart abnormalities.
Men may have changes in hormones that cause balding or infertility.
The most common form of DM is adult-onset DM1 and usually begins in a persons 30s.
DM bang out 2 (DM2) is similar to DM1 but is generally less severe.
If the upper facial muscles are affected, you may be unable to completely close your eyes while sleeping.
Progression of FSHD is typically slow, and some people may never experience symptoms.
Those with FSHD have a normal life expectancy.
Babies born with CMD are often characterized as floppy due to muscle weakness.
They may have fixed joints and difficulty reaching certain milestones, such as sitting up.
In some types of CMD, the brain may be affected, causing intellectual disability.
Life expectancy with CMD is dependent on the punch in and progression.
Some babies will die in infancy, and others can live well into adulthood.
The most common early symptoms of OPMD aredrooping of the upper eyelidsanddifficulty swallowing.
Some people may experience degeneration of the muscles of the upper legs as the disease progresses.
This can affect the ability to walk, kneel, or climb stairs and be mild or severe.
About 10% of people with OPMD will need a wheelchair.
Progression of OPMD is generally slow, and life expectancy is normally not shortened.
In Welander distal myopathy, muscles of the hands, feet, toes, and fingers are affected.
Udd distal myopathy affects the muscles around the ankle and can spread to those of the shinbone.
Over time this can cause foot drop, or the inability to turn the feet and toes upward.
The other subtypes affect different muscles.
Progression of distal muscular dystrophy is usually very slow and is not considered to affect life expectancy.
Emery-Dreifuss
Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophyusually appears by the age of 10, but can appear in someones 20s.
Boys are most affected by Emery-Dreifuss MD, but females can becarriersof the disorder.
Emery-Dreifuss MD is marked by slow but progressive wasting of the muscles of the upper arms and legs.
Contractures of the spine, ankles, knees, and elbows usually occur before significant muscle weakness.
Those affected by the disease often die in mid-adulthood from cardiac or pulmonary failure.
TheMuscular Dystrophy Associationis a great place to start, but your healthcare provider can also help give you direction.
Dont be afraid to ask for help if you are struggling.
Current research promises a brighter future.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Muscular dystrophy.
Muscular Dystrophy Association.Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)medical management.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.The Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Research data pipe.
Muscular Dystrophy Association.Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Becker muscular dystrophy.
Muscular Dystrophy Association.Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD)signs & symptoms.
Muscular Dystrophy Association.Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD).
Muscular Dystrophy Association.Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD)causes/inheritance.
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Limb-girdle muscular dystrophies.
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Myotonic dystrophy.
Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Myotonic dystrophy.
Muscular Dystrophy Association.Myotonic dystrophy (DM)signs & symptoms (adult-onset).
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.
Muscular Dystrophy Association.Congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD).
Muscular Dystrophy Association.Congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD)types of CMD list.
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Congenital muscular dystrophy.
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy.
Muscular Dystrophy Association.Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD).
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Distal myopathy.
Muscular Dystrophy Association.Diseasesdistal myopathiestop level.
